Major Feasts, Solemnities, Memorial Days

January 2 – Saint Basil and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (memorial day)

Bishops and Church teachers. Saint Basil and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus were friends, of whom it was said that they had one heart, one soul, and one purpose – sanctity.

SAINT BASIL (330-379) was born in the province of Cappadocia in Caesarea in Lesser Armenia, he was born into a Christian family and received a good education in philosophy, rhetoric, and medicine. He decided to devote his life entirely to God and became a solitary monk. Soon students began to gather around Basil, and he founded the first monastery in Lesser Armenia. After a few years, the bishop of Caesarea, Eusebius, ordained Basil as a priest. He became the most trusted assistant of the bishop, defending the Church’s faith against the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, through his writings, sermons, and his own example, and revealing the truth to countless people. In 370, Saint Basil became the bishop of Caesarea and gained the undivided love and respect of the Christian people.

SAINT GREGORY (330-389 or 390) was born near Nazianzus. He also received a good education and was baptized in his youth. Like Saint Basil, he lived in solitude in the wilderness for some time. In 381, Gregory was ordained as the bishop of Constantinople. The new bishop successfully strengthened the Church’s faith against heretical teachings. Saint Basil and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, along with Saint John Chrysostom, are honored as the three greatest Eastern Church teachers.

January 6 – EPIPHANY (major feast)

Epiphany, or “The Manifestation of the Lord,” reveals that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. On this feast day, we remember the Lord’s revelation to the Wise Men, who, as representatives of the pagan nations, came to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king, the expected Prince of Peace and the Righteous ruler in His cradle.

January 7 – Saint Raymond of Penafort Priest

Saint Raymond of Penafort (1175-1275) is honored as a patron saint of confessors. At the age of 45, he entered the Dominican Order and later, together with Saint Peter Nolasco and King James of Aragon, founded the Order of Our Lady of Ransom for the redemption of captives. In 1230, Raymond of Penafort was a confessor to Pope Gregory IX in Rome and compiled the so-called decretals – a compilation of papal and conciliar decisions. He was also the general of the Dominican Order. In the final stage of his life, the monk worked tirelessly for the eradication of heretical teachings and the return of Spain from the Moors. In 1258, the holy priest was able to report to his order’s general that 10,000 pagans had converted to Christianity.

January 13 – Saint Hilary Bishop and Church teacher

Saint Hilary (4th century) was born in the city of Poitiers, France. During his studies, he immersed himself in the Holy Scriptures and, obeying the call of his heart, received the sacrament of baptism. Saint Hilary ardently engaged in the Church’s struggle against the Arian heresy, which was most prevalent at that time. Hilary was a good preacher, a deep theologian, and an interpreter of the Holy Scriptures. He also wrote hymns – the liturgy of the Church has been enriched by hymns written by Saint Hilary.

January 17 – Saint Anthony the Abbot (memorial day)

Saint Anthony was born in Upper Egypt around the year 250. At the age of 18, he sold his inherited property, gave the money to the poor, and began a solitary life in the desert, praying, fasting, and fighting against temptations. Because of his spiritual perfection, Anthony was called a friend of God. The fame of his holiness spread even beyond the borders of Egypt, and people came to Anthony for advice and spiritual consolation. Around Anthony, people gathered who, following his example, wanted to serve God in solitude, so around the year 305, a whole community of monks was established in the Thebaid desert. In it, the monks lived according to the order set by Anthony, pledging chastity, poverty, and obedience.

January 18 – Saint Margaret of Hungary

Saint Margaret of Hungary (1242-1271) was the daughter of King Bela IV of Hungary. During the Tartar invasion, the queen, who was expecting at the time, promised to dedicate her child to the service of God if He would protect the land from the invaders. At the age of 4, the girl was entrusted to the upbringing of Dominican nuns in Veszprem, and at the age of 12, Margaret made her lifelong vows. With extraordinary fervor, she devoted herself to the Crucified Christ – lived in strict fasting, constant meditation, and prayer for the homeland. Despite being a princess, the girl rejected any attempt to single her out among the other sisters and often undertook the most difficult and unpleasant tasks herself. She cared for the sick, whom no one else wanted to accept for fear of infection, thus sacrificing her life for the liberation of the people from the Tatar yoke. Margaret died at the age of 28. In 1943, Pope Pius XII declared her a saint.

January 20 – Saints Fabian and Sebastian

SAINT FABIAN, Pope, died a martyr’s death in 205 during the persecution of Christians. 

SAINT SEBASTIAN, Martyr, was a commander of the emperor Diocletian’s bodyguards. His prayers helped convert unbelievers and healed the sick. Legend has it that with the saint’s intercession, Rome was victorious over the plague. Saint Sebastian died a martyr’s death – tied to a stake and killed with arrows.

January 21 – Saint Agnes, Virgin, and Martyr

Saint Agnes (3rd-4th century) died a martyr’s death at the age of fourteen. Born into a Christian family, Agnes desired to dedicate her life to God from an early age. “I will be Christ’s bride,” she decided. The girl rejected the advances of the Roman governor’s son and chose to die a martyr’s death rather than break the promise she made to Christ.

January 22 – Saint Vincent, Deacon, and Martyr

Saint Vincent lived in Spain in the 4th century. He worked with Bishop Valerius and was a renowned preacher.

During the persecution of Christians, the bishop and deacon appeared before the court of the persecutor Dacian and confessed their faith in the living God Jesus Christ. Saint Vincent died a martyr’s death, stoned.

January 24 – St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Feast Day)

St. Francis (1567-1622) was born in Savoy (France). He studied with the Jesuits in Paris and Bologna, obtaining a doctorate in theology and law, and was ordained a priest in 1593. Due to his excellent education, he became a brilliant preacher and was known for his many charitable works. The holy priest worked zealously to defend the teaching of the Catholic Church against Calvinism, enduring hostility and threats. However, through his patience and erudition, Francis persuaded numerous former Catholics to return to the faith. In 1602, Francis was appointed Bishop of Geneva. Known for his clear and precise sermons, administrative abilities, and intelligence, he became a respected shepherd of souls. As bishop, Francis made a personal contribution to the development of education, opening several schools himself. Francis de Sales was the spiritual director of St. Jane Frances de Chantal and encouraged her to establish the Visitation Sisters. His two most significant theological works, “Introduction to the Devout Life” and “Treatise on the Love of God,” are among the most beautiful books in Christianity. In 1665, Francis de Sales was canonized, and since 1877, he has been honored as a Doctor of the Church. Pope Pius XI also declared St. Francis de Sales the patron saint of Catholic journalists.

January 25 – Conversion of St. Paul (Feast Day)

While on the road to Damascus, Saul, a fierce persecutor of Christians, was dazzled by a bright light from heaven, and he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” And he received the answer, “I am Jesus of Nazareth.” (cf. Acts 8:3-5)

January 26 – St. Timothy and St. Titus, Bishops (Feast Day)

ST. TIMOTHY, Bishop
St. Timothy came from the city of Lystra in Asia Minor. He was the most faithful disciple and constant companion of the holy apostle Paul and was consecrated as Bishop of Ephesus. He died a martyr’s death, stoned to death.

ST. TITUS, Bishop
St. Titus was one of the Greek pagans converted by the Apostle Paul himself. Later, Paul ordained Titus as Bishop of Crete. The Holy Scriptures contain letters from the holy Apostle Paul to Titus and Timothy.

January 27 – St. Angela Merici, Virgin

St. Angela Merici (1470-1540) loved prayer from an early age, lived in humility and dependence on God. She privately made a vow of chastity and joined the Third Order of Franciscans. In 1535, St. Angela Merici founded a women’s association, which later, under the leadership of St. Ursula, was transformed into the Ursuline Sisters, dedicated to the education of young girls.

January 28 – St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Feast Day)

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was born into a noble family in Lombardy, Italy. He was educated by Benedictine monks in his childhood. In 1239, Thomas went to study at the University of Naples and became acquainted with the Dominican Order. He desired to join the Dominicans, but his family could not accept that their son would enter the mendicant order, and for more than a year, Thomas was not allowed to leave his parents’ home. Finally, in 1245, he was permitted to join the Dominicans after the intervention of Emperor Frederick II. Thomas studied in Paris for three years and then continued his studies in Cologne under Albert the Great. Two years later, he was ordained a priest and returned to Paris to teach. In 1266, Thomas began his most significant work, the “Summa Theologica.” He wrote it for seven years but did not complete it because in 1273, he experienced a marvelous divine vision and claimed that his writings were nothing compared to the glory he had seen. Thomas Aquinas was a highly gifted individual, and because of his outstanding intellectual ability and authentic spiritual life, he became the greatest theologian of his century and one of the greatest saints and teachers of the Church in its entire history. In 1567, Pope Pius V declared him the patron saint of universities and schools.

January 31 – St. John Bosco, Priest (Feast Day)

St. John Bosco was born in 1815 in a village near Turin, Piedmont. John’s parents were poor, and his father died when he was only two years old. The curious boy had to earn a living as a shepherd, servant, and acrobat. Finally, in 1841, he became a priest. John Bosco’s vocation was to work with poor street children. Initially, he gathered them on Sundays for games and lessons, during which he taught them catechism and explained the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. John realized that Sunday lessons alone were not enough and bought a shed to set up a shelter for children. This was the beginning of the congregation founded in 1846, whose members, in honor of their heavenly patron St. Francis de Sales, later came to be called Salesians. With all his heart, John Bosco and the other members of the congregation devoted themselves to the upbringing of children and young people, using entirely new methods. They believed that an educator should not be just a supervisor but a friend, father, and brother to his students. Coming from a poor family himself, John Bosco was able to feed, educate, and provide work for thousands of homeless boys. To achieve this goal, he built several schools, workshops, and even a church. In 1872, John Bosco founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a congregation of women dedicated to the education of girls.

John Bosco died in 1888, and in 1934, Pope Pius XI declared him a saint. Today, John Bosco’s tomb in the Salesian Church in Turin is a well-known pilgrimage site.

February 2 – Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (Feast Day)

On this day, we remember how the Most Holy Virgin Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to the temple to dedicate him to the Heavenly Father. The visit to the sanctuary becomes a moment of grace for Simeon and Anna, who have been awaiting the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 2:22-40).

This day is also known as Candlemas. Jesus Christ – the Light of the World! The candle symbolizes the spiritual light that illuminates the hearts of believers. The Church blesses candles on this day.

Since 1997, Pope John Paul II has encouraged the celebration of this day as the Feast of Consecrated Life, dedicated to those consecrated to God. His call is closely linked to the life and service of the Church, particularly by living in unity with Christ.

February 3 – St. Blaise and St. Ansgar

ST. BLAISE, Bishop and Martyr (4th century), completed his studies in philosophy and medicine and worked as a physician. Seeing people’s great attachment to the secular world, he, following Christ’s call, became a healer of souls and devoted his life to serving God. Blaise was the bishop of Sebaste (Armenia) and died a martyr’s death. Today, St. Blaise is invoked as a healer of throat ailments.

ST. ANSGAR, Bishop (c. 800-865), was a monk and missionary in Denmark and Sweden. He was elected as Archbishop of Hamburg and later of Bremen. St. Ansgar is honored as the apostle of the Scandinavian peoples.

February 5 – St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (Feast Day)

St. Agatha (3rd century) was born into a wealthy family in Catania, Sicily. Because of her beauty and nobility, Agatha attracted the attention of the Sicilian governor Quintianus, but she rejected him, saying that nothing would compel her to change her Christian faith and desire to serve and belong only to Christ. For her faith, Agatha died a martyr’s death on February 5, 250, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius. Legend has it that a year after her death, Mount Etna erupted violently, and the people of Catania, both Christians and non-Christians, gathered at Agatha’s tomb, took a veil that covered her face, and carried it in front of the lava, which immediately stopped. The cult of St. Agatha spread rapidly in the Western Church, the Eastern Church, and even reached Western Africa. St. Bishop Siculus Methodius wrote about Agatha: “Agatha captivates us even with her word, and everyone willingly goes to visit her. She teaches us by her example, for everyone constantly competes among themselves to follow the true good, which is God alone.”

February 6 – St. Paul Miki and His Companions, Martyrs (Feast Day)

On February 5, 1597, in Nagasaki, Japan, twenty-six Christians, missionaries from Europe, Jesuit and Franciscan brothers, Japanese monks – Paul Miki and his companions – as well as twenty-seven laypeople, were crucified. They went to their deaths, full of joy, singing to the glory of God.

February 8 – St. Jerome Emiliani

St. Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537) was born into a wealthy Venetian family. Even in childhood, he was very devout and loved prayer. Recovering from an injury suffered in battle, Jerome decided to dedicate himself more to prayer and fully devote himself to God and serving his brothers. He donated his life to caring for the sick, dying, and the poor, and opened orphanages. In 1532, Jerome Emiliani founded a monk order living according to the Augustinian rule. The saint died while caring for the sick.

February 10 – St. Scholastica, Virgin (Feast Day)

St. Scholastica (c. 480 – c. 547) was the sister of St. Benedict and was born in Nursia, Italy. From childhood, she dedicated herself to serving God. Following her brother’s example, Scholastica founded a convent for women near Monte Cassino, where they lived a life of fervent prayer and service. Legend has it that after Scholastica’s death, St. Benedict saw her soul rising to heaven in the form of a dove.

February 14 – St. Cyril and St. Methodius

St. Cyril and St. Methodius are celebrated as the apostles of the Slavic peoples. In his youth, Cyril worked as a librarian and philosophy teacher in Constantinople, while Methodius was a provincial governor. Both brothers entered the monastery on Mount Olympus in Asia Minor.

In 860, Cyril was sent to preach the Gospel in Crimea, and Methodius went to strengthen the faith of the Bulgarian ruler. Soon, the ruler of Moravia requested in Constantinople that Slavic priests be sent to his land to preach the Word of God, and the emperor sent Cyril and Methodius.

They translated the Holy Scriptures and liturgical texts, and Cyril’s alphabet, which he created, still bears his name today. Methodius was consecrated as the Archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia.

February 17 – Seven Saints – Founders of the Servite Order

The Order of the Servants of Mary (OSM – “Ordo Servorum Mariae”) was founded by seven wealthy and prominent merchants of Florence. In 1233, they joined together in a religious community to dedicate themselves to the honor of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and to perform acts of charity for the needy, living as monks. Others joined them who truly wanted to change their lives. The Church officially confirmed the Servite Order in 1304.

February 18 – Ash Wednesday (Beginning of Lent)

February 21 – St. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Peter Damian (1007-1072) hailed from Ravenna, Italy. He was highly gifted and studied at the University of Parma. Feeling called to the monastic life, Peter Damian joined the strict Camaldolese monastery and later became its head. Pope Stephen IX appointed Peter Damian as the Bishop of Ostia and a cardinal. He conscientiously performed his duties, especially caring for the discipline of the monasteries and the education of priests. Pope Leo XII bestowed upon St. Peter Damian the title of Doctor of the Church.

February 22 – Chair of St. Peter

February 23 – St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr

St. Polycarp (1st-2nd century) was one of the last to receive Christian teaching directly from the apostles. He was particularly close to the apostle John. St. Polycarp was appointed as the Bishop of Smyrna. In Rome, he discussed Easter celebrations and other important issues with Pope Anicetus. Firm in his faith, St. Polycarp died a martyr’s death around 155.

March 4 – Saint Casimir

Years: 1458-1484. As the son of the King of Poland and Lithuania and the daughter of the King of Hungary and Bohemia, Casimir recognized only one title for himself – Citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. His brief life was characterized by purity, piety, and zeal for good works. Casimir selflessly helped the poor and the sick, meditated on the sufferings of Christ, eagerly participating in them, and was a fervent devotee of the Virgin Mary. Saint Casimir is the patron of Poland and a model of purity for youth. His holy remains are located in Vilnius.

March 7 – Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

Both of these women – noblewoman Perpetua and slave Felicity – died as martyrs in 203 during the persecution of Christians in Carthage. They were arrested while preparing to receive the sacrament of Baptism (during the catechumenate), so both Perpetua and Felicity were baptized while in prison. These holy martyrs are also united by the fact that they both had nursing infants.

March 8 – Saint John of God

This saint (1495-1550) hailed from Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal. He spent turbulent early years, participating in wars against the French and the Turks. Upon returning home, John learned of his parents’ death and, tormented by a sense of guilt, went to Spain. There he found his vocation in caring for the sick. The saint himself served them and even begged for money to support them. Thus, the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God was established. Pope Leo XIII declared Saint John of God the heavenly patron of the sick and hospitals.

March 9 – Saint Frances of Rome

St. Frances (1384-1440) came from a noble family in Rome. In her married life, she was a model of a Christian wife and mother. According to the family’s status, Frances lived in a palace, but under her luxurious attire, she wore the simple garb of a penitent, dedicating her free time to helping the poor and the afflicted, nursing and feeding them, and providing them with spiritual support. Frances’s followers joined a congregation living according to the Rule of St. Benedict. After her husband’s death, Frances herself joined the congregation and assumed its leadership.

March 17 – Saint Patrick

St. Patrick (385-461) hails from England. In his early youth, he became acquainted with Ireland and later felt called to dedicate his life to the evangelization of the Irish people. Patrick was appointed as the Bishop of Ireland. His selfless missionary work achieved great success. When the bishop died, almost the entire Ireland, which he had known as completely pagan, had become a land of Christians. Even today, Saint Patrick is honored and revered by the Irish people.

March 18 – Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Cyril (315-386) was born into a Christian family, received a good education, and was ordained a priest. Cyril was an outstanding preacher and defender of the faith in the struggle against the Arians. He worked extensively on catechumenal preparation for baptism, and his catecheses have survived to this day, allowing us to understand the teaching of the Church of that time on the inheritance of faith and the sacraments. In 348, Cyril was consecrated as the Bishop of Jerusalem. Over the next 35 years, he was repeatedly exiled but remained steadfast in his faithfulness to Christ and the Church.

March 19 – Saint Joseph (Solemnity)

Saint Joseph was the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus. Alongside the Virgin Mary, he was the first to honor the Son of God. Saint Joseph guarded and cared for Mary while she awaited the Child and when she gave birth to Him. Following the angel’s command, Joseph took Jesus and His Mother and fled to Egypt to save the Child from Herod’s threats. Upon their return, he worked as a carpenter to support the Holy Family. Saint Joseph is honored as the guardian of virgins, the protector of families, and the patron of the Universal Church – the Mystical Body of Christ.

March 23 – Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop

St. Turibius (1536-1606) was born in Spain. In 1580, he was elected as the Bishop of Lima and began fervently working for the good of the Church in Latin America. He established seminaries, built new churches, and helped the needy and the sick, promoting the opening of hospitals and tirelessly visiting the faithful, caring for both their physical and spiritual health.

March 25 – Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)

April 2 – Saint Francis of Paola, Hermit

Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507) hailed from a poor and devout family near Naples. At the age of thirteen, the boy spent a year studying in a Franciscan monastery. Later, he embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, returning to commence a hermit’s life in the mountains of Calabria. When followers joined him, Francis founded the Minims or the Order of Minims. The fundamental principles of their rule include satisfaction for sins, humility, mercy, and fasting. In 1474, the order received the blessing of the pope and began to spread rapidly throughout Europe.

Saint Francis of Paola’s advice aided cardinals, Pope Sixtus IV, and King Louis XI of France.

April 4 – Saint Isidore of Seville, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Isidore (c. 560-636) was born in Spain. His father was the Duke of Cartagena. Four saints of the Church came from this family – St. Leander, St. Fulgentius, St. Florentina, and St. Isidore.

Around 600, Isidore was appointed as the Archbishop of Seville. He began the struggle against the errors of Arianism, summoning and leading two synods. The bishop paid special attention to the education of clergy, emphasizing that the basis of faith’s errors lay in insufficient knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.

April 5 – Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest

The eminent Dominican preacher and theology professor Saint Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) was born in Valencia, Italy. With his powerful sermons and personal example, he brought thousands of people back to Christ.

April 7 – Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Priest

St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1719) was a priest who dedicated special care to schools and the education of children. He began and developed the congregation named after him, founded in 1681.

In 1950, Saint John Baptist de La Salle was proclaimed the heavenly patron of all teachers.

April 13 – Saint Martin I, Pope and Martyr

Martin I was the last pope to die as a martyr. He was appointed pope in 649. During his pontificate, Martin I convened a council where he defended the Church’s faith in Christ – true God and true man. In 653, the pope was captured and exiled to Cherson, where he died in 656.

The mortal remains of Saint Martin I are located in the Church of St. Sylvester and St. Martin in Rome.

April 23 – Saint Adalbert of Prague and Saint George

SAINT GEORGE – martyr. Testimonies of the cult of Saint George come from the 4th century from the city of Lydda in Palestine. There, he is honored as a soldier who slays the Dragon, the adversary of the Archangel Michael. Saint George became particularly popular in Greece, Russia, and England. He is frequently depicted in Christian art.

SAINT ADALBERT OF PRAGUE – bishop and martyr (c. 956 – 997). Saint Adalbert was the Bishop of Prague, who was killed while attempting to Christianize the Prussians. Later, he became the patron saint of Bohemia, Poland, Hungary, and Prussia.

April 24 – Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr

Saint Fidelis (1578-1622), born as Mark Rey, hailed from Sigmaringen, Germany. With success, Mark studied law and became a lawyer. In 1612, he changed his life and joined the Franciscan order. Even before being invested in the order’s habit, Mark was ordained as a priest. Taking lifelong vows, the young monk assumed the name Fidelis (Faithful). In 1622, the leadership of the congregation sent Fidelis on a mission to the Graubünden canton of Switzerland. He obediently went there to testify to his faith in one God, one faith, and one baptism and died as a martyr.

April 25 – Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

Saint Mark, the Evangelist, came from a Christian community in Jerusalem. The first Christian community often gathered at Mark’s mother’s house, so he grew up in the Christian spirit and knew Jesus’s life well from the apostles’ teachings. As Christianity spread beyond Judea, Mark was with Paul and Barnabas, and later accompanied Apostle Peter on his way to Rome. Tradition has it that Mark included Peter’s sermons to the Roman Christians in his Gospel. Mark’s Gospel was written in Greek in the mid-1st century. This is the shortest of the Gospels, its main message being that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and all authority is subject to Him.

Saint Mark is honored as the founder of the Church of Alexandria.

It is known that he was the Bishop of Alexandria and died as a martyr in 68 AD. The relics of Saint Mark are located in the basilica erected in his honor in Venice.

April 28 – Saint Peter Chanel and Saint Louis Mary Grignion de Montfort

SAINT PETER CHANEL, priest and martyr

Peter Chanel (1803-1841) was born in France. He became a priest and joined the Marist congregation. Shortly thereafter, he expressed a desire to go on a mission to Oceania. Peter Chanel was sent to the island of Futuna, where the word of Christ had never been preached before. The saint served and preached fervently in very difficult circumstances, never losing his zeal and joy for work. He was killed by the island’s nobles out of fear that the acceptance of Christianity would undermine their authority. Peter Chanel’s preaching bore abundant fruit – a few years after the saint’s death, all the islanders had embraced the Christian faith. Saint Peter Chanel is honored as the first martyr of Oceania.

SAINT LOUIS MARY GRIGNION DE MONTFORT, priest

Saint Louis Mary Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716) came from the small town of Montfort in France. He studied with the Jesuits in Rennes and later entered the seminary in Paris. In 1700, he was ordained as a priest. The Bishop of Poitiers appointed Louis Mary Grignion de Montfort as the chaplain of the city’s hospital. Reorganizing it, the priest founded the Daughters of Wisdom congregation. The saint was a zealous preacher who, due to his active activities, gained many opponents, often having to move from one place to another. However, precisely because of these moves, in 1706, Pope Clement XI appointed him as the apostolic missionary of France.

April 29 – Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (Feast Day)

Saint Catherine (1347-1380) was the last child of a family of 24 children. At the age of six, Catherine felt called to dedicate her life to God. She joined the Third Order of Saint Dominic and devoted herself to prayer and works of mercy.

Catherine was one of the wisest women of her time, whose words were listened to by bishops, cardinals, and even the Pope himself. Due to her merits, Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome from Avignon, France.

Saint Catherine of Siena was an outstanding mystic. During her lifetime, she experienced many revelations and visions, all of which contributed to her spiritual growth and deepened her love for God.

May 2 – Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Church Teacher

Saint Athanasius (295-373) hailed from Alexandria and spent his youth alongside the great hermit Saint Antony. Following Antony’s example, he grew in self-denial and service. Saint Athanasius spent his life fighting against false teachings and defending the truth of the Gospel regarding the divinity of Christ. He is recognized as a Church teacher.

May 3 – Saints Apostles Philip and James the Less (Feast)

Saint Philip of Bethsaida was one of the first disciples called by Jesus to follow him. The Gospel mentions Saint Philip multiple times. During the Last Supper, he asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father!” and received the answer, “Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Tradition holds that Apostle Philip preached the Gospel in Greece and Phrygia.

On the other hand, Saint Apostle James the Less was the brother of Apostle John, the son of Alpheus and Mary, who was a relative of the Virgin Mary. Sometimes, he is called the “Lord’s brother” due to this relationship.

May 12 – Saints Nereus, Achilleus and Pankratius, Martyrs

SAINTS NEREUS AND ACHILLEUS, Martyrs

Saint brothers Nereus and Achilleus were soldiers who left their military service after embracing the Christian faith. Tradition tells that during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (284-305), both brothers were sentenced to death. A basilica was built at their burial site.

SAINT PANKRATIUS, Martyr

Another victim of Diocletian’s persecution of Christians was Pankratius, born into a wealthy family in Phrygia. After his parents’ death, he moved to Rome, where he embraced the Christian faith. When Pankratius was captured by persecutors and brought before Diocletian, the brave boy fearlessly confessed his faith in Christ and died a martyr’s death.

May 18 – Saint Pope John I, Martyr

John I became the leader of the Church in 523 and remained its shepherd until 526 when he was imprisoned in Ravenna and died a martyr’s death.

May 20 – Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest

Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) was born into a notable Tuscan family and dedicated himself to acts of charity from an early age. He joined the Franciscan Order and became a priest, known for his fervent preaching and devotion to prayer. In the latter part of his life, Saint Bernardine traveled as a missionary across the Italian provinces, proclaiming the Word of God.

May 25 (Feast) – Saint Bede the Venerable, Saint Pope Gregory VII, and Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE, Priest and Church Teacher

Saint Bede (673-735), known as “the Venerable,” is a revered figure in Anglo-Saxon Christianity. As a Benedictine monk, he diligently followed the rule of “pray and work.” His work was primarily intellectual: he engaged in explaining the Old and New Testaments, delved into natural sciences and history, and wrote poetry.

SAINT POPE GREGORY VII, Pope

Saint Pope Gregory VII (circa 1028-1085) was born in Tuscany, Italy, and raised in the renowned Cluny monastery in Rome. He was consecrated pope in 1073 during a time when the Church suffered from secular influence and the low moral standards among some clergy. The new pope fought against the sale of Church offices and the moral decay among the clergy, fearlessly opposing secular rulers.

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE DE’ PAZZI, Virgin

Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi (1566-1607) took the vow of chastity at the age of 12. She joined the Carmelite Order and endured many physical and spiritual sufferings in her holy life, joyfully enduring them for the love of Christ.

May 26 – Saint Philip Neri, Priest

Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595) was born in Florence but spent most of his life in Rome. In his youth, he studied at a Benedictine monastery but did not complete his studies. As a layman, he began apostolic work—visiting the sick to cheer them with his wit and engaging in spiritual conversations, meeting people of all walks of life and ages, trying to use every opportunity to convert souls. After repeated urgings from local clergy, Philip Neri completed his theology studies and became a priest. He performed his duties in the spirit of joy, love, and service. The Church, speaking of Saint Philip Neri, cites the words of Saint Augustine: “An apostle commands us to rejoice, but in the Lord, not in the world!”

May 27 – Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop

Saint Augustine of Canterbury (6th-7th century) was one of the missionaries whom Pope Gregory the Great sent to work in England. The missionaries converted the kings of Kent and ten thousand of his subjects to the Christian faith. Saint Augustine was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.

June 1 – Saint Justin Martyr (Memorial Day)

Saint Justin (2nd century) was born in Palestine, into a pagan family. He studied philosophy and aimed to find the true God during his studies. Justin became acquainted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the lives of the martyrs, becoming a fervent Christian. In Rome, he opened a school of philosophy, wrote several works defending the Christian faith, and went on evangelistic missions to Greece, Egypt, and Italy. Saint Justin died a martyr’s death around 165 AD during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.

June 2 – Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs

During Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, Marcellinus was a notable priest, and Peter an exorcist. They were imprisoned, where they continued to strengthen the faith of their fellow prisoners. Both martyrs died faithful to their calling.

June 3 – Saint Charles Lwanga and his companions, Martyrs

On this day, the Church honors the Ugandan martyrs, who in 1886 gave their lives for the Christian faith. They were young African boys, recently baptized, some still catechumens. The first to be ready to die, professing his faith in Christ, was Charles Lwanga. The status of Ugandan missionaries and the first Ugandan converts was very difficult, but the blood of these martyrs became the seed of Christianity, and the Ugandan missions have borne abundant fruit.

June 5 – Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

Saint Boniface (673-754) came from a noble English family. Educated in a Benedictine monastery school, he later became a monk of this order. At the age of thirty, Boniface was ordained a priest. Desiring to bring the light of Christ’s Gospel to pagans, he went to the Germans and converted many to Christianity. Pope Gregory II consecrated Boniface as a bishop and entrusted him with overseeing the German missions. Saint Boniface was killed by pagans while distributing the sacrament of confirmation to new converts.

June 6 – Saint Norbert, Bishop

Saint Norbert (1080-1134) lived a frivolous life in his youth, not thinking about eternal matters. However, a chance occurrence completely changed him—while riding in a storm, lightning struck him from his horse. Norbert distributed his wealth to the poor, became a priest, and, preaching the word of God, traveled throughout Germany, Belgium, and France. Saint Norbert founded the Premonstratensian order. In 1126, this man full of faith and apostolic zeal became the Archbishop of Magdeburg.

June 7 – SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

June 11 – Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Saint Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph, was born in Cyprus and was of the tribe of Levi. He joined the apostles after the ascension of Christ, but due to his evangelical zeal, he rightly earned the title of apostle himself. Barnabas, which means ‘Son of Encouragement,’ was given to him by the apostles because of his ability to comfort the discouraged. Barnabas was one of the first to accept the apostle Paul, while other Christians distrusted him as a former persecutor. Barnabas preached the Gospel in Antioch and his native Cyprus.

June 13 – Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Saint Anthony was born in Portugal at the end of the 12th century. He became a priest and a Franciscan monk, working in Portugal, Italy, and France, inspiring people to Christian life with his example and fervent sermons. Anthony of Padua is called the friend of the Heart of Jesus because this saint truly called on every soul to love the Sacred Heart of Jesus and live in the love of the Heart of Jesus. Anthony was a model of humility and meekness for others, and he also earned the reputation as one of the greatest preachers of his time. Saint Anthony is also considered a finder of lost things. He died in 1231 near Padua, and an impressive basilica has been built at his burial place, one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in the world.

June 21 – Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious

Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591) was the firstborn in a notable family of counts in Northern Italy. Although he was the heir to his father’s wealth, he renounced a life of luxury and carefree living at an early age, taking the vows of chastity and joining the Jesuit order.

The pious and virtuous youth surprised his contemporaries with his selflessness, kindness, spirit of service, and sacrifice despite his weak health. Due to his brilliant mind and remarkable talents displayed during his studies, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is honored as the patron of studious youth.

June 22 – Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop

Paulinus of Nola (355-431) was born into a wealthy family in Bordeaux, France. His wealthy parents provided him with a good education. Paulinus was particularly close to philosophy, but he felt that pagan philosophy could not provide fulfillment. In Spain, Paulinus met his future wife, Teresa. With her piety, she helped her husband discover the Christian faith. Paulinus was baptized and turned to the study of the Holy Scriptures. However, several tragic events in his life taught him the worthlessness of material things and the transience of human happiness. Paulinus revealed his intention to devote himself entirely to God to his wife, and Teresa supported him. He began a monastic life in Nola and soon also received the sacrament of ordination. Later, he was appointed bishop of Nola. Saint Paulinus of Nola is also honored as the first Christian poet.

June 24 – NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.” (John 1:6-7) Normally, the Church selects the day of death for the commemoration of its saints. However, due to the special role and mission of Saint John the Baptist, the Church celebrates both his death and birth.

John the Baptist is the voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Humbly, yet fervently, with power and conviction, he called people to repentance and baptism, while himself renouncing any glory or merits: “He who is mightier than I is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16).

June 27 – Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Church Teacher

Saint Cyril (370-444) was a disciple of the holy hermit Isidore, from whom he learned virtues and true piety. In 412, Cyril became the bishop of Alexandria. He ardently defended the Church’s doctrine against the errors of Bishop Nestorius.

In 413, during the Third Ecumenical Council, attended by about 200 bishops, Saint Cyril, as the Pope’s representative, was the soul of this council’s work. The council condemned the errors of the Nestorians and reaffirmed the Church’s faith in Jesus Christ—true God and true man—and the truth that the Virgin Mary is the Mother of God.

June 28 – Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

St. Irenaeus (c. 130 – c. 202) was born in Asia Minor into a Christian family. His teacher was St. Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, who promoted his student’s growth in faith and holiness.

In 177, Irenaeus became a priest and later the bishop of Lyon and advisor to Pope Victor I. With great zeal and success, he evangelized the territories of Gaul. In his writings, Irenaeus defended Christian faith against heresies, wrote about the vocation of man and the mystery of the Church. St. Irenaeus died a martyr’s death in Lyon around 202.

June 29 – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

These chosen men of God—Saints Peter and Paul—are the pillars and foundation of our Catholic faith, who, thanks to the death of Christ on the cross and the power of His Resurrection, went throughout the world proclaiming the Gospel. Christ’s words to Peter – “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17) – indicate the source from which they drew their preaching power, to be ready to give their lives for Christ. As is known, Peter’s entrusted task of binding and loosing was given to the entire college of apostles, which is represented today by the hierarchy of the Church. Bishops continue to carry out this task, among whom the pope holds the first place.

June 30 – The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

On this day, the Church celebrates the memory of its first martyrs. In 64 AD, Rome was engulfed in a huge fire that raged for six days and caused massive devastation to the city. Emperor Nero falsely accused Christians of starting the fire and subjected them to cruel tortures. Countless innocent people became victims of Nero’s cruelty, their only “crime” being faith in the love of Christ’s teaching.

July 3 – Saint Thomas the Apostle (Feast Day)

Saint Thomas is one of the twelve chosen apostles of Jesus. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection for the first time, Thomas was not present. He heard about what happened from the other apostles and told them: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” After eight days, Jesus stood among the disciples again and allowed Thomas to both see and touch his wounds. Then Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” (cf. John 20:24-28)

Tradition tells us that later, the apostle Thomas, preaching the teaching of Christ, went as far as India. He died a martyr’s death, bearing witness to his faith and love for Jesus.

July 4 – Saint Elizabeth of Portugal

Saint Elizabeth (1271-1336) was the wife of King Denis. She had to endure her husband’s lustful nature, the deaths of her daughters and son, and witness her son rising against his father. Despite all trials, Elizabeth remained faithful to prayer, fasting, and acts of mercy—under her care, charitable institutions and monasteries were established. After her husband’s death, she entered the Third Order of St. Francis.

July 5 – Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539) was born in Cremona, Italy. He studied medicine and began practicing as a physician. However, Anthony soon felt called to the priesthood and was ordained in 1528. Anthony Mary Zaccaria founded a congregation that gathered other priests who wished to follow the apostolic example of Saint Paul. Since they served in the Church of St. Barnabas, the brothers are called Barnabites.

July 6 – Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr

Saint Maria Goretti (1890-1902) was born into a poor and devout Italian family. The beautiful and virtuous girl was coveted by the farmer’s son Alessandro. When Maria rejected him, Alessandro attacked her with a dagger, fatally injuring her. Maria died the next day, forgiving her murderer out of love for Jesus.

July 11 – Saint Benedict, Abbot and Patron of Europe

Saint Benedict (c. 480-547), the founder of the Benedictine Order, was born into a wealthy and devout family in Nursia, Italy. After leaving his studies in Rome, Benedict began a hermit’s life in a cave on the mountainside near Subiaco, where he struggled with temptations through prayer and fasting. When Benedict’s place of residence became known, people flocked to him, seeking advice and consolation. Benedict established several monasteries around his cave, but he was not allowed to stay there for long. He and his disciples moved to Monte Cassino, where in 529 he founded a large monastery. Around 530, he wrote his monastery’s rule of life.

The Benedictine Order has significantly influenced all of Christian culture. It has given the Church more than 20 popes, hundreds of cardinals, and thousands of bishops. The Church has inherited manuscripts rewritten by Benedictine monks. Similarly, the monks’ work has promoted the economic development of Europe.

The Church has proclaimed Saint Benedict as the patron saint of Europe.

July 13 – Saint Henry

Saint Henry (973-1024) is the saint of the Bavarian Church. Together with his wife Kunigunde, also recognized as a saint, Henry worked actively for the good of the Church. In 1002, he became the Emperor of Germany—a ruler who considered the law of God and service to the people as the main measure of his actions. Henry was a great supporter of the Churches in Germany and Italy. He deposed Gregory, who had unlawfully occupied the papal throne, and restored power to the rightful pope, Benedict VIII.

July 14 – Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest

Saint Camillus (1550-1614) from Lellis, Italy, experienced a conversion at the age of twenty-five. Despite being incurably ill himself, Camillus worked as a nurse in the Hospital of St. James. At the suggestion of his spiritual father, Saint Philip Neri, Camillus began studying theology and, upon completion, was ordained a priest. He founded a congregation whose members, with vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, committed to caring for the sick, even at the risk of their own lives. Saint Camillus de Lellis is honored as the patron saint of the sick.

July 15 – Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Church Teacher

Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274) was a spiritual child of Saint Francis of Assisi. He joined the Franciscan Order, became a professor of theology and philosophy, and was appointed the general of the Franciscan Order. Pope Gregory X consecrated Bonaventure as a bishop and made him a cardinal bishop of Ostia. In 1274, Bonaventure participated in the General Council of the Church in Lyon. He died before the end of the council and was solemnly buried, attended by all the council fathers.

Saint Bonaventure has written many philosophical and theological works and is compared to Saint Thomas Aquinas for their depth.

July 21 – Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Church Teacher

Saint Lawrence (1559-1619) was entrusted to the Franciscan monastery in Brindisi, Italy, as a child. In 1575, he entered the Capuchin Order. He was a fervent preacher, and Pope Clement VIII invited him to Rome to convert Jews to the Christian faith. In 1596, Lawrence was appointed the leader of the Franciscan Order. With the pope’s blessing, he founded new monasteries in Vienna, Prague, and Graz. When the Turks attacked Hungary and their superiority seemed so great that the Christian army was afraid to face them, Lawrence, holding a crucifix in his hand, stood at the forefront of the army and victory was won.

July 22 – Saint Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene was a sinner whose beautiful return is described in the Gospels. Meeting Jesus, the woman with tears washed the Lord’s feet with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with oil. Those present, wondering how he allowed a sinner to touch him, Jesus said, “Her many sins are forgiven, for she loved much.” And to Mary Magdalene, the Lord said, “Your faith has saved you.” Together with the Virgin Mary, the Apostle John, and several women, Mary Magdalene was present at the cross as Jesus died, but on Easter morning, she hurried to see Jesus’ tomb, was the first to meet the Lord after his resurrection, and received his command to go and testify to what she had seen.

July 23 – Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious, Patroness of Europe

Saint Bridget (1303-1373) was a descendant of the Swedish royal family. She married Prince Ulf and bore eight children (her daughter Catherine is also honored as a saint). After her husband’s death, Bridget experienced several visions of Christ’s passion and deeply empathized with them. For the last twenty-three years of her life

of her life, she spent her time in Rome in prayer and poverty.

Pope John Paul II declared Saint Bridget as the patroness of Europe.

July 25 (Feast Day) – Saint James the Apostle

After the call of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons James and John in a boat mending nets. Upon receiving the invitation to follow Christ, the brothers immediately left the boat and nets and went with him. (cf. Matthew 4:18-22). Peter and the two brothers—James and John—are the three apostles to whom the Savior repeatedly granted special graces.

After Christ’s ascension into heaven, the Apostle James worked in Palestine. As the Bishop of Jerusalem, seeing that the faithful Jews outside Palestine were losing their fervor of faith, the Apostle James wrote a letter to them, which is included in the New Testament and contains blessed instructions. The Apostle James is the first of Christ’s disciples to testify his faith through martyrdom.

PRAYER

Almighty, eternal God, who allowed Saint James as the first of the apostles to bear witness to his faith in Jesus Christ with his blood, hear us through his intercession, that we may always stand firm in holy faith.

July 26 – Saints Joachim and Anne

The Holy Parents of the Most Holy Virgin Mary Saints Joachim and Anne are the parents of our Savior’s Mother, the Most Holy Virgin Mary. There is no direct mention of them in the Holy Scriptures. The birth of the Virgin Mary is described only in one of the apocryphal books, namely the Protoevangelium of James. It tells us that only after long prayers did God grant this family a child—Mary, the Mother of Christ. During prayer, an angel appeared to Joachim and prophesied many blessings for his daughter. “From her infancy, she will be dedicated to God and filled with the Holy Spirit,” the angel said.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSECRATION OF RIGA METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

July 29 – Saint Martha

In the Gospel of Luke, there is an account of Jesus visiting the home of sisters Martha and Mary. Martha, who is serving and taking care of the esteemed guest, while her sister sits at the Lord’s feet, listening to his words, Jesus Himself says: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (cf. Luke 10:38-42)

Moreover, the evangelist John gives a beautiful testimony to Martha’s faith. These are the words of the holy woman after her brother Lazarus’ death: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you… Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world!” (cf. John 11:20-27)

July 30 – Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Church Teacher

Saint Peter Chrysologus was born around the 5th century. He became a priest, and in 434, Pope Sixtus III consecrated him as the Bishop of Ravenna. The new bishop was a faithful servant of the Church and a fervent preacher. Due to his powerful speeches, he gained the name Chrysologus—Golden Word. 176 of his speeches have been preserved. Saint Peter Chrysologus is recognized as a Church teacher.

July 31 – Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

St. Ignatius (1491-1556) was born in Spain, in the Basque country. His youth was spent in military exercises and ambitious dreams of achievements in the art of war. However, in 1521, during the war with the French, Ignatius was wounded in both legs and taken prisoner. During his recovery from a severe surgery, Ignatius turned to reading. By chance, he came across the life of Christ and some descriptions of saints. They left such an impression on Ignatius that he abandoned his military career to become an apostle of Christ. In 1540, Pope Paul III approved the Order of Ignatius of Loyola, known today as the Jesuit Order, whose motto is “For the Greater Glory of God!”

August 1 – St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial Day)

He lived in Italy (1696-1787) and was endowed with a special gift of wisdom from the Holy Spirit. At the age of 13, he began studying law at the University of Naples, completing his studies by the age of 16. However, after starting his practice as a lawyer, Alphonsus Maria felt a calling to the priesthood. Even as a deacon, his sermons attracted and touched many people. In 1732, he founded the Redemptorist Order, which cared for the faith and morals of the youth and educated rural people. In 1762, Pope Clement XIII appointed Alphonsus Maria de Liguori as a bishop. St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori authored dozens of books and also engaged in music and painting.

August 2 – St. Eusebius of Vercelli, Priest

St. Eusebius was born in Sardinia (Italy) at the beginning of the 4th century. After receiving his education in Rome, he became a priest and in 345 was appointed as the first bishop of Vercelli. Bishop Eusebius was a zealous defender of Christ’s teachings against the errors of Arianism.

August 4 – St. John Mary Vianney, Priest (Memorial Day)

This saint (1786-1859) was born in France near Lyon. In 1815, he became a priest and in 1818 was appointed pastor of the parish of Ars, serving there until his death. His ministry was marked by genuine zeal. Leading the parish, the pastor provided aid to the poor, visited parishioners in their homes, and spent long hours in prayer and in the confessional. In 1827, when he founded a shelter for the poor and orphans, divine assistance came in even miraculous ways. The holy pastor was also given the ability by God to look into people’s consciences and to know past and future events. Due to his zealous life, special abilities, and noble virtues, people called him a saint while he was still alive. St. John Mary Vianney is the heavenly patron of all parish priests.

August 6 – THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (Feast)

August 8 – St. Dominic, Priest (Memorial Day)

St. Dominic (c. 1170-1221) was born into a respectable family in Castile (Spain). At the age of 14, Dominic entered the University of Valencia, where he studied theology, excelling in virtue, the spirit of prayer, and an ascetic lifestyle. Becoming a priest, Dominic influenced his listeners so profoundly with his sermons and explanations of the Holy Scriptures that many sinners completely changed their lives.

Realizing that people needed holy priests and clear explanations of the truths of faith, Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominicans. Dominic himself developed the order’s rules. In 1216, Pope Honorius III gave the Church’s blessing for its foundation. Dominic traveled extensively, founding new monasteries. The order quickly spread across all Catholic lands and played a significant role in the flourishing of the Church. The brothers of the order act as preachers of God’s Word, university lecturers, and missionaries. Among them are such outstanding theologians as St. Albert the Great, St. Thomas Aquinas, and several popes.

August 9 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin and Martyr, Co-Patroness of Europe (Feast)

Edith Stein was born on October 12, 1892, into a Jewish family in Germany, with strong Jewish traditions. Excelling in her studies, she pursued philosophy and dedicated herself to the search for truth. Edith Stein was deeply influenced by the life of St. Teresa of Avila, which led her to accept Jesus Christ as the only truth. On October 14, 1933, on the feast of St. Teresa, Edith Stein entered the Carmel monastery in Cologne, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. In 1942, she was killed in the gas chamber of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was canonized on October 11, 1998. Pope John Paul II declared her a co-patroness of Europe.

August 10 – St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

St. Lawrence, under the direction of Pope Sixtus II, oversaw the Church’s properties and cared for the poor. In 258, four days after the pope’s assassination, Lawrence was also arrested. He encouraged the desperate Christians, assuring them that their patience and faithfulness to Christ during persecution would be rewarded with the eternal vision of God. When Lawrence was summoned before the Roman prefect, who demanded the Church’s treasures, he replied that the Church indeed had treasures greater than any emperor and promised to show them. Lawrence returned with a large crowd of the poor and crippled, saying, “Here are the treasures of the Church, which the emperor must now care for as he had done.” During the cruel tortures, St. Lawrence displayed such heroism that some of his torturers became Christians.

August 11 – St. Clare, Virgin

St. Clare (1193-1253) was from Assisi (Italy), from a wealthy and devout family. From a young age, she showed great love for God and people. Learning that St. Francis had founded his monastery, Clare also decided to renounce worldly life. She refused the marriage arranged by her parents and secretly went to Francis. Clare became the leader of a new women’s monastery, whose inhabitants lived in unprecedented poverty and obedience for that time.

August 13 – St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus

ST. PONTIAN, Pope and Martyr

St. Pontian (3rd century) became pope in 235. During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Maximus, Pope Pontian was exiled to the island of Sardinia, where he also died. St. Pontian is buried in the Catacombs of Callixtus.

ST. HIPPOLYTUS, Priest and Martyr

St. Hippolytus (3rd century) was a prominent theologian and writer of the Church of his time. During the papacy of Callixtus, Hippolytus separated from the Church and opposed the pope, but in exile on the island of Sardinia, he reconciled with the Church, became a saintly penitent, and died a martyr’s death. Hippolytus’s remains are buried in Rome. The Church has honored the martyrs Pontian and Hippolytus since the beginning of the 4th century.

August 14 – St. Meinrad and St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe

ST. MEINRAD, Bishop, Patron of Latvia

Saint Bishop Meinrad was the apostle of Latvia. He arrived in Livonia in the 1170s-1180s. Meinrad founded the diocese of Ikšķile and the archdiocese of Riga. The first stone church in Latvia was built in Ikšķile. In 1186, Meinrad was consecrated as the bishop of Ikšķile in Bremen. The newly elected bishop respectfully adhered to the local traditions, learned their language, and cared for the education of new priests. Bishop Meinrad never used violence in his ministry but was always an apostle of peace.

On August 20, 2000, at the ruins of the church in Ikšķile on the island named after St. Meinrad, a shrine was solemnly unveiled in his honor.

ST. MAXIMILIAN MARIA KOLBE, Priest and Martyr

St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe (1894-1941) was a Polish Franciscan monk who chose to die voluntarily in place of an unknown prisoner. In 1982, Pope John Paul II canonized Kolbe and recognized him as “the patron saint of our difficult century.”

August 16 – St. Stephen of Hungary and St. Roch

ST. STEPHEN OF HUNGARY

St. Stephen of Hungary (c. 969-1038) was the first king of Hungary to embrace Christianity. Through his prayers and penance, he interceded for the conversion of all Hungary to the Christian faith. St. Stephen of Hungary is also remembered as a fervent supporter of works of mercy – he cared for the poor, founded new monasteries, shelters, and schools.

ST. ROCH

St. Roch, also known as St. Rocco (c. 1295-1327), is especially venerated as a patron saint during times of plague or other epidemics.

August 19 – St. John Eudes, Priest

St. John Eudes (1601-1680), the son of a Norman farmer (France), was already called the miracle of his time during his life. Becoming a priest, despite his weak health, John Eudes traveled from place to place, preaching the truths of faith, strengthening and educating priests, and calling nuns to fervent prayers for the conversion of sinners. At a time when churches were half-empty due to the plague, people flocked to John Eudes’s pulpit and confessional from a wide area.

August 20 – Saint Bernard, Abbot and Church Doctor (Memorial Day)

Saint Bernard (1090-1153) was born near Dijon (France) in an officer’s family. In his youth, Bernard was admired by society for his good achievements, virtues, physical attractiveness, talents, high status, and wealth. However, Bernard did not seek worldly honor but chose the life of a monk. Together with his four brothers and twenty-seven other wealthy and educated young men, he joined the Cistercian Order. After a few years, Bernard was entrusted with founding a new monastery. Along with twelve brothers, he cultivated the new monastery area, which was named the Valley of Light (Clairvaux), and he became known as Bernard of Clairvaux. The Clairvaux monastery became a notable pilgrimage site and home to more than 700 brothers.

Bernard served as an advisor to both secular and spiritual leaders, a zealous preacher of Church teachings, and a defender of the legitimate Pope Innocent II. Many of Saint Bernard’s writings, spiritual songs, and prayers have been preserved to this day.

August 21 – Saint Pius X, Pope

Pius X, born Giuseppe Sarto in 1835 in the village of Riese in the province of Venice, Italy. His father was a village messenger and postman. Giuseppe was a gifted boy, excelling in school, possessing a healthy sense of humor, and was very popular among his schoolmates. The religious upbringing he received from an early age and the religious atmosphere at home prompted him to choose the difficult path of priesthood. He was ordained a priest at the age of 23. His first service was in the poor region of Tombolo. Later, he served as the parish priest of Salzano, paying great attention to charity and catechesis. He then became a canon in Treviso and rector of the seminary. In 1884, he became the Bishop of Mantua. By conducting parish visitations without official receptions, convening conferences, preaching, giving advice, and seeking the reasons for backwardness, the diocese became the most active of all within nine years.

In 1892, Pope Leo XIII appointed him as a cardinal and Patriarch of Venice. He was noted for his simplicity, generosity, and zeal, seeking no comforts or material goods. Under his initiative, worker cooperatives, schools, and workers’ housing were established in Venice.

In 1903, after the death of Pope Leo XIII, everyone thought the new pope would be the famous Cardinal Rampolla, but during the conclave, Cardinal Puzyna of Krakow announced to the other cardinals that the Emperor of Austria, Francis Joseph, had vetoed Rampolla’s candidacy. The cardinals opposed such a veto, but Rampolla himself withdrew his candidacy. After four votes, Cardinal Giuseppe Sarto was elected Pope. Submitting to God’s will, he began to lead the church as Pius X.

His first act as pope was issuing the constitution “Commissum nobis,” which ended all privileges of secular powers concerning papal elections: they could no longer intervene in the election of a new pope with their suggestions, prohibitions, or in any other way. Only cardinals were allowed to elect the pope. He resolved the strained relations between the Italian state and the Church. His motto was “To Restore All Things in Christ!”

August 23 – Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin

Saint Rose of Lima (1586-1617) worked hard from childhood to help her impoverished parents. The girl felt a great love for God and strengthened her Christian faith through prayer. She joined the Third Order of Saint Dominic and lived as a fervent penitent.

August 24 – Saint Bartholomew the Apostle (Feast)

Saint Bartholomew was one of the apostles chosen by Christ. He witnessed his faith through martyrdom—Bartholomew’s torturers flayed him alive. The apostle’s tortured body rests in Rome, where a church has been built in his honor.

August 25 – Saint Louis and Saint Joseph of Calasanz

SAINT LOUIS (1214-1270), King of France, saw the defense of God’s honor as his life’s mission. During his reign, he cared for peace, the temporal welfare of his people, and their spiritual education.

SAINT JOSEPH OF CALASANZ (1557-1648), a priest, came from Aragon. This holy priest founded educational and upbringing institutions for poor children. He demonstrated his selflessness and spirit of sacrifice during the plague by caring for the sick and burying the dead.

August 27 – Saint Monica (Memorial Day)

Saint Monica (331-387), the mother of Saint Augustine, bishop, and Church Doctor, was born in Tagaste (Africa) into a Christian family. In her youth, she was married off to a wealthy Roman state official, Patricius. He lived his life as a pagan and only accepted the Christian faith before his death. Patricius died early, leaving Monica alone with three children. Monica wanted to raise her children as good Christians, but her son Augustine showed disdain for studies, indulged in vices, and disbelief in his youth. Monica prayed day and night for Augustine’s conversion. Only in the last year of her life did she witness her son’s resolve to completely change his life. Monica died, reminding her children of their forthcoming meeting in God’s Kingdom and urging them never to forget the power of prayer.

In 1430, Saint Monica’s relics were reburied in the Church of Saint Augustine in Rome.

August 28 – Saint Augustine, Bishop and Church Doctor (Memorial Day)

One of the greatest representatives of Christian philosophy is Aurelius Augustine (354-430).

He was born in the small town of Tagaste in North Africa to a humble official’s family. He received his initial education in his hometown, later studying rhetoric in Carthage with the financial help of his father’s friends. Augustine’s education was fully rooted in Latin culture. The views of Roman political figure and philosopher Cicero had a significant influence on him. During this time, he lost his faith and began a life of indulgence. Augustine’s quest for knowledge led him through various philosophical directions—Manichaeism, skepticism, materialism, Platonism, Neoplatonism. Throughout his life, he fervently sought answers to questions about good and evil. After working as a teacher in Tagaste and Carthage, Augustine went to teach rhetoric in Rome in 383. For a time, he taught rhetoric in Milan. This was a period of intense truth-seeking during which he struggled with bodily passions.

Eventually, in Milan, Augustine met Bishop Ambrose, whose sermons deeply moved him. God’s grace and his mother Monica’s years of prayers and tears for her son triumphed. On the eve of Easter in 387, Augustine received the sacrament of baptism and devoted his life to God. Returning to Africa, he founded a religious brotherhood in his hometown of Tagaste and soon became the Bishop of Hippo. He spent the rest of his life in this city. Augustine’s life and spiritual quest were greatly influenced by his mother—a devout Christian, a simple and modestly educated woman, but endowed with remarkable spiritual strength and firmness of character. His mother’s unwavering faith became a guide and example in Augustine’s often contradictory yet relentless pursuit of truth. He wrote many works, but the most notable are considered to be three: “Confessions,” “On the Trinity,” and “City of God.” Augustine maintained the insight from Plotinus about the unity of all existence. From Augustine’s perspective, wisdom can only be Christian wisdom, thus there can be no distinction between philosophy and theology. He believed that clear thinking could only occur within the framework of God’s grace when human will has also been transformed. To properly understand man and the world, we must view them from the perspective of Christian faith. The human mind must be “illuminated.”

Augustine was one who asked many questions. He can be compared to a growing child who constantly asks questions of himself, others, and God. At times, these might seem foolish and unnecessary, but Augustine through such questions arrived at profound truths. He truly was one who sought and found. No wonder the Church declared him a Doctor of the Church, and it would be surprising if he had not also touched on the question of free will in his quest. In his “Confessions,” we can read: “It raised me to Your light because I knew that I had will, that I knew I was alive. When I wanted or did not want something, I clearly knew that it was I who wanted or did not want.”

This text clearly indicates that he knows he has free will, through which he has the opportunity to choose. But Augustine would not be Augustine if he did not ask the question: “Why is it (that is, free will) needed?” If human will were not free, there would be neither merit nor punishment. Saint Jerome also confirms this saying: “Where there is necessity, there is no reward.” It is not only Augustine and Jerome who speak of free will. In the Holy Scriptures, we can read the Lord’s words: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.” This clearly indicates that the Lord gives a choice. Psychology also speaks of the freedom of will: “The freedom of will is what makes man superior to an animal.” The Church’s position on this matter can also be mentioned: “Human will remains free, even when influenced by effective grace; its effect is not such that the will could not reject it.” This dogma’s foundation was used from Saint Augustine’s book “On Grace and Free Will.” God created you without your help, but He will not make you righteous without your help.

At the end of his life, Augustine refuted the Manichean idea of the origins of good and evil, teaching that the sole origin is God and that evil is being separated from Him.

Saint Augustine, one of the greatest theologians of the Catholic Church, is recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

September 3 – Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

Pope Gregory the Great (c. 540-604) came from a notable Roman family, which allowed him to receive a good education and attain a high position in the state’s service. However, Gregory found no fulfillment in fame or wealth. He renounced worldly life, distributed his wealth to the poor, established six Benedictine monasteries on his land, and himself became a monk of this order. Soon he was appointed as the abbot of a monastery, later served as the pope’s envoy in Constantinople, and gained great recognition. After returning to Rome, Gregory worked as the secretary of Pope Pelagius II and after his death became the head of the entire Catholic Church. Pope Gregory the Great fervently preached the word of God to pagans and cared for the liturgy, paying particular attention to the chants of the Church. Gregory the Great has written many theological works and addressed moral issues. Due to the depth of his writings, he is recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

September 5 – Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

On August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Yugoslavia, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born into an Albanian family, later to impact the world with her faithful, loving service to God and humanity. At the age of eighteen, she entered the Loreto Sisters’ Congregation in Ireland and was sent to India for novitiate, where she worked as a teacher in Calcutta for nearly twenty years. Increasingly, the shocking poverty of the nearby slum dwellers struck her, until she gradually realized that her place was “among the poorest of the poor, among the least of Christ’s brethren.” For two years, she awaited permission from Pope Pius XII to leave her congregation so that, finally, in 1948, she could dedicate her life entirely to those who had nothing. Clad in a simple cotton sari, Teresa walked the streets of Calcutta to be with the poor. She wished to form a congregation to serve them. In 1950, Teresa received Church permission to establish the Missionaries of Charity congregation. In addition to vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the sisters take a fourth vow – to freely and wholeheartedly serve Christ in the poorest of the poor. In 1954, she opened the first shelter for the dying.

September 9 – Saint Peter Claver, Priest

St. Peter Claver (1580-1654) was a Spanish Jesuit and missionary, known as the apostle of the black slaves.

Father Peter Claver’s beatification process began in 1658. He was beatified by Pope Pius IX on July 16, 1850. Later, on January 15, 1888, Pope Leo XIII declared him a saint, and on July 7, 1896, as the patron saint of missionaries among black people.

September 13 – Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saint John Chrysostom (c. 349-407) was born in Syria (Antioch). At the age of 20, John was baptized. He experienced worldly life but was not attracted to it. In 374, the saint joined hermits in the southern mountains of Antioch, but his health was too weak for the hermit’s life, and he returned to the city. In 386, he was ordained a priest and became a powerful and beloved preacher of the people. In 397, Saint John Chrysostom became the bishop of Constantinople.

THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS

September 14 – EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (Feast)

According to Church tradition, Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, found the Holy Cross on which Jesus died. Experiencing her son’s second wife, who had killed her son from her first marriage, being murdered by her son, Helena embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The city had been devastated by Emperor Hadrian, and only ruins greeted Helena. However, revelations received and advice from locals allowed Helena to find the place where the description of the land had been kept for years. Several miracles confirm the authenticity of the Cross. In gratitude to God for the grace received, Helena ordered the construction of a basilica in Jerusalem, where part of the relics was kept. The other part was taken to Constantinople, the third to Rome, where it is kept in the church built in honor of the Cross near Lateran. On September 13, 335, on the thirtieth anniversary of the discovery of the Holy Cross, Emperor Constantine gathered the Fathers of the Church to consecrate two basilicas in Jerusalem. The next day, on September 14, the bishop of Jerusalem showed the relic of the Holy Cross to those present for veneration. The Fathers of the Church appointed September 14 as the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated annually in the Church. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross also has a deep biblical basis. Leviticus describes how the Lord speaks to Moses, saying, “The tenth day of the seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.” (cf. Lev 23, 27.34) Solomon chose these feasts to celebrate the dedication of the Temple. (1 Kings 8, 2.25) Similarly, the Letter to the Hebrews describes the Church’s spiritual entry into the sanctuary through the blood of Christ on the Cross. (cf. Heb 9, 12) Jesus, the eternal High Priest, voluntarily offered himself on the Cross, and his Blood, the Blood of the New Covenant, redeemed mankind and established the Church. The Cross becomes the instrument of our salvation and an eternal sign of the covenant between God and humanity.

September 16 – Saints Cornelius and Cyprian

ST. CORNELIUS, Pope and Martyr Saint Cornelius (3rd century) was appointed pope in 251. He fervently fought for the unity of the Church. In 253, his opponents sent him into exile, where he remained until his death.

ST. CYPRIAN, Bishop and Martyr Saint Cyprian (210-258) became a Christian around the middle of his life. He was ordained a priest and earned the love of the people for his eloquence and extensive knowledge. In 249, he was appointed Bishop of Carthage. The new bishop fervently served the sick during times of plague. He was martyred during Emperor Valerian’s persecution of Christians. Upon hearing his death sentence, Cyprian exclaimed, “Thanks be to God!”

September 17 – Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, and Doctor of the Church

Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was born near Florence, Italy, into a poor family with many children. Even as a child, he showed remarkable abilities in his studies, kindness, and piety. He studied in a Jesuit school and entered the order in 1560. Robert Bellarmine studied theology at the University of Louvain. Soon his sermons became so successful that people traveled from afar to hear them. After completing his studies, Robert Bellarmine became a professor at the University of Louvain, later taking on the guidance of the order’s students. At the pope’s behest, Robert Bellarmine worked on preparing the catechism. In 1599, Pope Clement nominated him as a cardinal. Saint Robert Bellarmine is honored as a Doctor of the Church.

September 18 – Saint Stanislaus Kostka, Religious

Stanislaus Kostka (16th century) came from Rostów near Pšasniša (Poland). He studied in a Jesuit-led gymnasium. Teachers early on noticed his special abilities in studies and his intense spiritual life. In 1565, Stanislaus fell seriously ill and received miraculous healing. He saw the Mother of God with the Child, who restored his health on the condition that he enter the Jesuit order. Stanislaus became a Jesuit monk in Rome in 1567. He was characterized by spiritual maturity and deep prayerfulness. However, shortly thereafter, he fell ill with malaria and died.

When Stanislaus Kostka’s tomb was opened two years after his death, it was found that his body had not decayed. In 1726, Pope Benedict XIII canonized Stanislaus Kostka. He is honored in Poland as a patron of children and youth. In 1962, Pope John XXIII proclaimed Saint Stanislaus Kostka as the patron saint of Poland.

September 19 – Saint Januarius, Bishop, and Martyr

Saint Januarius (3rd-4th century), son of wealthy citizens of Naples, Italy, was the Bishop of Benevento, who testified his faith in martyrdom. September 20 (Feast Day) – Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and his companions, Martyrs

In the 17th century, the first Christian community in Korea was born, led by some fervent laity until the arrival of the first French missionaries who came secretly to Korea in 1836. This community was persecuted in 1839, 1846, and 1866. During the persecutions, 103 people were killed, including Saint Andrew Kim, a priest and fervent missionary, as well as seven other priests, three bishops, and laity who with their blood gave courage and fertility to the Church in Korea.

September 21 – Saint Matthew, Apostle, and Evangelist (Feast Day)

The tax collector Matthew was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Christ and one of the four authors of the Gospels. In Matthew’s Gospel, there is a special connection between the Old and New Testaments; he emphasizes that Christ is the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of the prophets’ preaching.

Matthew preached the teachings of Christ first in Palestine, then in Syria and Ethiopia. Apostle and evangelist Matthew died a martyr’s death in Ethiopia.

September 23 – Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Priest, and Monk (Feast Day)

Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione (1887-1968), was born in Pietrelcina, in southern Italy. He was the eighth child in a poor family. At the age of fifteen and a half, he entered the Capuchin monastery in Morcone. Beginning his novitiate, the young brother received the name Pio. The following year, he made his first vows and began his philosophy studies. Brother Pio’s spiritual guides were two notable monastery fathers, Benedetto and Agostino. In 1910, Pio was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Benevento. Poor health forced the young priest to spend more time with his family outside his monastery. It was a time of spiritual maturation, during which he learned to overcome trials, fully trusting in God’s will.

In 1916, Padre Pio was sent to the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo. Two years later, he received the stigmata of Jesus’ suffering. From then on, Padre Pio endured the pain of bleeding wounds, medical examinations, crowds of people, precautions from Church authorities; however, despite all trials, he remained obedient and humble. Thousands of pilgrims come to San Giovanni Rotondo every year to confess their sins and participate in Padre Pio’s celebrated Holy Mass because they find in him a true witness of God’s Mercy, burning with love for God and people.

In 1940, Padre Pio initiated the construction of his hospital, the Home for the Relief of Suffering. Knowing physical pain so well, he wanted the patients to receive truly compassionate reception and the best care in this place. The hospital opened in 1956. Padre Pio also founded prayer groups, which have now spread worldwide.

Padre Pio died on the morning of September 23, 1968, having received the sacrament of the sick, after thousands of pilgrims celebrated his stigmata fiftieth anniversary for three days. In 1999, Pope John Paul II declared Padre Pio blessed, and on June 16, 2002, he was declared a saint.

Padre Pio was a true son of Saint Francis – in his life, he lived through Christ’s sufferings, was a profound man of prayer, always obedient, full of joy and hope, merciful and understanding to all; a true witness of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world.

September 26 – Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs; Blessed Pope Paul VI

Cosmas and Damian were brothers to whom the Holy Spirit had given the special gift of healing. They testified their faith through martyrdom. Church tradition also indicates that many miraculous healings occurred at the tomb of the holy brothers. Pope Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini) was born on September 26, 1897, in Concesio, Lombardy, Italy. He died on August 6, 1978. He became pope on June 21, 1963.

September 27 – Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

Saint Vincent (1581-1660) was born in the southern region of France to a poor peasant family. He studied in a Franciscan monastery and later at the University of Toulouse. Vincent was ordained as a priest in 1600. A few years later, due to his talents, he became the chaplain to a queen and used his position to organize charitable works. Saint Vincent de Paul founded the Congregation of the Mission, a society of missionary priests, as well as the Daughters of Charity, a congregation of sisters devoted to charitable works. The main task of the brothers was to educate the common people, while the sisters dedicated themselves to charitable work in hospitals, shelters, visiting the sick at home, and aiding the afflicted. Their work laid the foundation for many charitable organizations today.

September 28 – Saint Wenceslaus and Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs

SAINT WENCESLAUS, Martyr Saint Wenceslaus was a Czech king during whose reign Christianity flourished throughout the country. Despite his royal status, he personally cared for the sick and helped the poor. In 935, Saint Wenceslaus was killed by his brother, who opposed the Christian faith.

SAINT LORENZO RUIZ AND COMPANIONS, Martyrs Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (1600-1637) is the first Filipino saint. He was born in the Philippines and served at the altar as a boy. Later, he accompanied missionaries to Japan, where Christian persecution was rampant. He was arrested, tortured, and, refusing to renounce Christ and leave Japan, was martyred. Before his death, he reportedly said to those present, “I am a Catholic and from the bottom of my heart accept death for the Lord; even if I had a thousand lives, I would sacrifice them all for Him.”

September 29 – Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (Feast Day)

September 30 – Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Saint Jerome (circa 340-420) was born in the city of Stridon in the Roman province of Dalmatia, in a wealthy Christian family. After completing his studies, Jerome began to delve deeper into the Holy Scriptures, and he felt called to dedicate himself entirely to God. For four years, he lived a rigorous ascetic life among monks in Palestine, studying the Scriptures and the Hebrew language.

Saint Jerome translated the Old Testament from Hebrew, corrected the translation of the New Testament, and left extensive commentaries on the Scriptures. He is recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

October 1 – Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (Memorial Day)

Thérèse of Lisieux and of the Holy Face was one of the strictest observances of the “Carmelites of Lisieux” order. This order got its name thanks to the solitary monks of Mount Carmel in Palestine who, living in constant silence and strict prayer, interceded for the world. Little Thérèse is one of the most touching and gentle saints. Marie Françoise Thérèse Martin was born on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, Normandy. Both her mother and father had longed for a contemplative monastery life in their youth, but both were rejected. The first deep sorrows struck the little girl when her older sister Pauline decided to join the Lisieux Carmel. After her mother’s early death, Pauline became Thérèse’s “mother.” At that time, Thérèse fell seriously ill, but thanks to Mary’s intercession, she soon recovered. At the age of 14, Thérèse also prayed to be admitted to the Carmelite order. Neither the local bishop nor Pope Leo XIII, to whom she had gone with her father, granted such permission. However, heaven heard her prayers, and after a year, she received the habit. Even then, she carried the seeds of fatal illness within her. This fragile girl spent only nine years with the Carmelites. After a long, painful, and silent endurance of illness, God took her to Himself in eternity.

October 2 – Holy Guardian Angels (Memorial Day)

The feast of the Holy Archangels (September 29) reveals to us the essence of angelic service – to praise God and sing to His glory. Today’s Introit and Communion songs in the Holy Mass also continue to praise God, the origin of all creation. However, the memorial day of the guardian angels reminds us of another significant angelic task – “in His wonderful providence, God has sent His angels to guard us” (Introductory prayer of the Holy Mass). The Old Testament often speaks of the appearances of angels, for example, guiding patriarchs on their distant journeys or guarding God’s people on the way to the Promised Land. Psalm 90 invites us to thank God for giving His angels charge over us in all our ways, so that we do not strike our foot against a stone. Jesus also speaks of the presence of angels that has been given to us.

Emphasizing the great respect for children, the Lord confirms: “Their angels always see the face of my Heavenly Father.” Encouraged by the Word of God, we pray that the Lord may grant us the grace to “always be in the protection of angels, to live with joy in the spirit of praise above this earth, so that later we may sing along with the angels in the Kingdom of Heaven” (compare. Prayers of the Holy Mass). Peace be with you.

October 4 – Saint Francis of Assisi (Memorial Day)

Francis (1181-1226) was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant from Assisi, Italy. When the boy was born, his father was on a business trip to France. The mother baptized the child as John, but when the father returned, he renamed him Francis, in honor of his mother’s homeland, France.

In his youth, Francis traveled a lot, spent time merrily with friends, and dreamed of military exploits. In 1202, he participated in the war between Assisi and Perugia and was taken prisoner. After his release, the young man fell seriously ill. After recovering, he went to war again but soon returned, greatly changed. During prayer in the small, half-ruined church of St. Damian, Francis heard the voice of Christ saying to him, “Rebuild My house, which is falling apart!” Francis immediately began to collect money to pay for the restoration of the old church. He even sold some fabric from his father’s shop. A dispute arose between father and son, and Francis renounced his inheritance, gave away the clothes he was wearing, and chose “Lady Poverty” as his life companion. He begged for money to be able to finish the restoration work of the church, cared for the poor, and preached. When the first followers joined Francis, the brothers settled in Porziuncola. They lived in poverty and simplicity, earning the nickname “little brothers” because of their humility.

In 1209, Francis made solemn vows, which marked the beginning of the Franciscan order. This simple rule was confirmed by Pope Innocent III.

Together with Saint Clare, Francis also founded the order for women, and he wrote instructions for tertiaries – people who wanted to follow Franciscan ideals while living in the world.

Francis is one of the few saints united with Christ by a special, supernatural bond, sharing in the Lord’s sufferings. In 1224, he received the stigmata – the wounds of Christ.

ROSARY QUEEN’S FEAST

October 5 – Saint Faustina

Sister Faustina (1905-1938) was a Polish nun who lived in the early 20th century and passed away in 1938 at the age of 33. Although she only attended school for less than three years, she speaks in her writings about mercy being the most important aspect of God, similar to how St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine affirm it in their theological works.

Jesus’ message entrusted to Sister Faustina is very simple: “Tell the world about My infinite mercy! Let the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, especially for sinners. On that day, the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fountain of My mercy.”

October 6 – Saint Bruno Priest

Saint Bruno (circa 1035-1101) was the son of prominent citizens of Cologne. He became a professor at the University of Paris, then accepted the sacrament of priesthood and was appointed a canon and chancellor of the bishop. Unsatisfied with high offices, he retreated into solitude to a desolate place in southern France. In 1084, Saint Bruno founded the Carthusian Order there, characterized by deep prayer life, solitude, and complete surrender to God’s hands.

October 9 – Saint John Leonardi and Saint Dionysius and his companion martyrs

ST. JOHN LEONARD (1541-1609), a priest, was born in Italy. In preaching God’s Word, he paid great attention to children, teaching them Christian truths. In 1574, John Leonardi founded the Order of Clerics Regular of the Mother of God and faced many difficulties because of it. However, with zeal, he rallied his brothers, calling them to participate in evangelization.

ST. DIONYSIUS was a bishop. There are reports that Dionysius, in the mid-3rd century, arrived from Rome to Gaul and was chosen as the first bishop of Paris. He died a martyr’s death along with two clergy members.

October 14 – Saint Callistus I Pope and martyr

Saint Callistus I was originally from Rome, born as a slave. Despite facing many hardships in his youth, he later gained freedom. Pope Zephyrinus ordained him a deacon. After Zephyrinus’ death, Callistus himself became pope and governed the Church until his martyrdom in 222. His pontificate was spent tirelessly combating various heresies and often hiding due to persecution of Christians. The largest catacombs in Rome are named after Saint Callistus.

October 15 – Saint Teresa of Avila Virgin and Doctor of the Church (Feast Day)

Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) hailed from an aristocratic family in Castile, Spain. When her mother died in 1529, she was sent to be educated by Augustinian nuns. Three years later, due to poor health, she had to leave the convent. However, during this time, she felt a calling to consecrated life in her heart. Despite her father’s disapproval, in 1533, Teresa entered the Carmelite monastery of Incarnation. Poor health forced Teresa to leave the monastery again for several years, but in 1540, she entered it once more. Teresa did not conform to the overly relaxed atmosphere in the monastery; she strictly observed the discipline of silent prayer, experiencing mystical visions during prayer. Teresa was troubled by the lack of love in the monastery, and she decided to found another convent where the first Carmelite rule would be observed.

In 1562, Teresa received permission from the pope and established the first reformed Carmelite convent in Avila. The reformed Carmelites differed from the unreformed Carmelites in that the nuns personally owned nothing, silent prayer took a special place, there was strict separation from the world, the nuns earned a living by manual labor. During her lifetime, Teresa founded sixteen more reformed Carmelite convents and assisted Saint John of the Cross in establishing the first reformed Carmelite monastery for men in 1568.

Teresa left her spiritual experience in written works, the most famous of which are her autobiography “The Book of Life,” “The Way of Perfection,” “The Interior Castle.”

In 1622, Teresa of Avila was canonized. She was the first woman to be included in the ranks of the Church’s doctors. This happened in 1970, during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI.

Saint Teresa of Avila is an outstanding teacher of contemplative prayer. Her experience of silent prayer allowed her to achieve such unity with the Lord that she could say, “I know that God exists because I have met Him.”

October 16 – Saint Hedwig (Jadwiga) and Saint Margarita Maria Alacoque

ST. HEDWIG (JADWIGA), nun

Saint Hedwig (1174-1243) was born in Bavaria, into the family of a count. According to her parents’ wishes, she became the wife of Duke Henry of Silesia, but she lived piously and contentedly even in the duke’s castle. Hedwig had a special mercy towards the poor and sick; she supported monasteries and churches. In family life, Hedwig was an example of a Christian wife, but after her husband’s death, she became a nun in a monastery she had founded herself in Trebnitz.

ST. MARGARITA MARIA ALACOQUE, virgin

Through Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), the Lord Jesus revealed His divine Heart to humanity as an infinite source of mercy and salvation, calling people to rejoice in His Heart’s sufferings for the sake of sin. Margaret Mary promoted the worship of the Heart of Jesus and proclaimed to the world that those who honor the Lord’s merciful Heart will experience special favor and grace from God.

October 17 – Saint Ignatius of Antioch Bishop and martyr (Feast Day)

The Gospel of Matthew records that the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And Jesus, calling a little child to him, placed the child among them and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4) Tradition has it that this child was the future bishop and martyr Ignatius of Antioch.

“I am the wheat of Christ, and I must be ground by the teeth of beasts to be made into pure bread for Christ,” with these words on his lips, Ignatius of Antioch, chosen by the apostles themselves, peacefully led the Antiochian church for 40 years.

October 19 – Saint John de Brébeuf, Saint Isaac Jogues, and their fellow martyrs

SAINT JOHN DE BRÉBEUF, SAINT ISAAC JOGUES, AND THEIR FELLOW MARTYRS

Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues were priests and two of the eight French Jesuit brethren who were martyred for preaching Christ’s teachings in North America during the 17th century.

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS, Priest

Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775) hailed from Liguria, Italy. From early childhood, he felt a special love for the Crucified Savior, spending much time in prayer and meditation. In 1724, he was ordained a priest and devoted himself zealously to his ministry. God had given this holy priest the ability to foresee the future and to heal the sick.

October 21 – Saint Ursula and her companions, virgins and martyrs

The story of Saint Ursula and her companions is one of the oldest legends about virgin martyrs. Ursula (3rd-4th century) was the daughter of a British king, renowned for her beauty, faith, and dedication to Christ. She vowed her chastity to God. However, a pagan king wanted to marry Ursula to his son, Etherius. War threats arose. Prompted by an angel, Ursula agreed to the marriage but requested a delay of three years during which her future husband would be educated in the Christian faith. Ursula was given ten young maidens as her companions, who, in turn, supervised a thousand others. Eleven thousand virgins spent three years on a pilgrimage by ship. After these three years, driven by divine wind, their ship sailed into the sea until it reached Cologne, where Ursula received a revelation of her martyrdom.

Traveling along the Rhine River, the maidens arrived in Basel, then walked to Rome. Returning to Cologne, the maidens found the city besieged by barbarians. To replenish their ship’s food supplies, the maidens disembarked, and the barbarians mercilessly killed them. The last of the maidens to disembark was Ursula. Enchanted by her beauty, a barbarian chieftain desired Ursula to be his wife, but rejected, he killed the maiden with an arrow. The barbarians plundered the ship but then saw a divine vision and fled, liberating the city. The inhabitants of Cologne took care of the burial of the maidens.

October 23 – Saint John of Capistrano, Priest

Saint John of Capistrano was a Franciscan friar who received a special gift of preaching from God. Countless people were moved to return and grow in faith by his words. In 1420, John of Capistrano was ordained a priest. The pope wanted to appoint him as a bishop, but the saint humbly declined this honor.

October 24 – Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop

Saint Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870) was born in Sallent, northern Spain, into a weaver’s family. In 1835, he was ordained a priest. Due to poor health, Anthony Claret couldn’t join either the Carthusians or the Jesuits as he would have liked. He became a missionary and founded his missionary congregation in 1849. Appointed as the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Anthony Claret quickly resigned from this high position, returned to his native Spain, and became the confessor of Queen Isabella II. However, he remained in court only to perform his priestly duties; the rest of the saint’s time was spent in missionary work and the dissemination of spiritual literature.

October 28 – Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (Feast Day)

Saint Simon was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, a Galilean. He preached Christ’s teachings in North Africa and Persia, where he died as a martyr.

Saint Jude is also called Thaddeus. He was the younger brother of the holy apostle James, considered a relative of the Holy Family. Saint Jude brought the message of Christ first to Jewish districts, then to Syria and Mesopotamia. Armenians honor Saint Jude as their apostle and claim that it was in Armenia that he was beheaded.

Among the books of the New Testament is the Epistle of Saint Jude to the Christians of Mesopotamia and Palestine.

November 1 – All Saints (Great Feast)

The Feast of All Saints has been celebrated in the Church since the 7th century. May these celebrations raise our thoughts towards the Kingdom of Heaven and strengthen our hope that, having crossed the boundary of death, we too will inherit the joy of the communion of saints, attain a renewed, divine life, and join those who have already entered into the glory of Heaven! Let us joyfully celebrate these feasts, honoring the saints who are close to God and intercede for us, beholding the face of the Lord face to face and living from His love! Their communion is the new Jerusalem, the Church of Heaven, into which all will enter who have lived in accordance with the blessings of the Lord. Today, we honor both those saints whom the Church has canonized, whom we know and love, and those whom no one knows but who have fulfilled God’s will, multiplying His glory and the good of humanity. Let us thank God for the example He gives us in His saints and for their intercessions on our behalf! Let us honor the saints of the Lord, thus praising God Himself, the Source of all holiness!

These feasts were celebrated both in the West and in the East as early as the 4th century. The Church remembered martyrs – witnesses of faith – and the feast day was associated with Easter. At the beginning of Christianity, the Roman Pantheon was transformed and became the Church of the Martyrs. In the 8th century, these feasts transformed into the Commemoration of All Saints’ Day. In 833, Emperor Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, decreed the celebration of this feast on November 1st. This date was chosen to evangelize the Celts, who at this time commemorated their dead. In the 10th century, these feasts in Rome became the Day of All Saints, which was prepared for with solemn vigils and fasting.

November 2 – All Souls’ Day

The tradition of praying for the dead immediately after All Saints’ Day began in the Western Church in the 9th-10th centuries. In 998, Saint Odilo, the Abbot of Cluny, proclaimed it to all Cistercian monasteries, of which there were more than a thousand in Europe. Very soon, these feasts began to be celebrated throughout the entire Church. In the 15th century, Dominican fathers in Valencia (Spain), to emphasize the need for prayer, began to celebrate three Holy Masses on this day. Should we pray for the dead? There is often much uncertainty about this question. Sometimes people argue: if the fate of souls is already determined, why bother God with prayers? The Church has always tirelessly urged prayers for the dead. In the Second Book of Maccabees (2 Macc 12:45), we read that the thought of praying for the dead, for their release from sins, is blessed and salvific. In every Holy Mass, we remember our deceased brothers and sisters, praying that the souls of the Church’s children would be purified from sins and their consequences and that they would share in the glory of the Lord in Heaven. The Church invites us to visit cemeteries during the month of November, to care for the graves of the departed, and to realize that we are not separated – even now, we are united in the communion of saints. The Church affirms and celebrates this communion or community in Jesus Christ’s Mystical Body, emphasizing that not only can we help the dead with prayers, but their intercessions for us can be effective and blessed.

November 3 – Saint Martin de Porres, Monk

Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639) came from Peru. He was a mestizo, the son of a Spanish colonizer and a local Inca woman. Because of his origin, the saint had to endure much contempt and trials. In his youth, Martin worked as an apprentice to a rural doctor, caring for the sick with great selflessness and compassion. To fully dedicate himself to God, Martin requested permission to serve in a Dominican monastery. Because of his humility and virtue, the monastery authorities recognized him as worthy to become a full-fledged member of the monastic community. He performed communal work with the sick both inside and outside the monastery and experienced many miraculous healings. He invested the money earned from his work in establishing charitable institutions. Martin was characterized by a deep love of prayer – he would spend long hours in prayer, following the example of Christ. In prayer, the monk found both the peace of the soul and supernatural wisdom, which allowed him, a man without theological education, to find answers to the most complex questions of faith.

November 4 – Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop (Memorial Day)

Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) was the son of the holy pope Pius V’s sister. He participated in the Council of Trent and vigorously sought to implement the council’s decisions in life. In 1564, Charles Borromeo was appointed Archbishop of Milan. He founded spiritual seminaries, reformed monasteries, convened synods, and oversaw the publication of catechisms. The holy bishop even risked his life by serving the sick during a plague in 1576. Throughout, he was a zealous and true witness of Christ, whose example helped many return to the faith. Saint Charles Borromeo is the patron saint of seminarians and aspiring priests.

November 9 – Anniversary of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Feast Day)

The Basilica of Saint John Lateran was built immediately after the end of the persecution of Christians, in the 4th century, under Pope Sylvester I. Initially, the basilica was dedicated to Christ the Savior, later becoming associated with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. Five ecumenical councils have been held in the basilica. The pope is the Bishop of Rome, and the Lateran Basilica is his cathedral. Its dedication anniversary on November 9 has been celebrated since the 12th century, initially in Rome and later throughout the Roman Catholic Church, honoring the basilica, which is “the mother and head of all the churches of Rome and the world.”

November 10 – Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (Memorial Day)

Leo I became the head of the Church in 440 after the death of Pope Sixtus III. During his pontificate, the Church suffered from both internal doctrinal disputes and external attacks by foreign peoples. Pope Leo I always staunchly defended the truths of the Christian faith. Particularly significant was the Council convened in 451, which condemned the heresies then spreading in the East and prevented the separation of the Greek Catholic Church. Twice this holy pope saved the city of Rome from pagan invasions, boldly facing them with confidence in the superiority of spiritual power. Saint Pope and Church teacher Leo I is called the Great for his merits and piety.

November 11 – Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop (Memorial Day)

Saint Martin of Tours (circa 316-397) was born into a pagan family in Italy. Following his father’s wishes, he became a soldier. However, around 335, Martin experienced a miraculous event—he gave half of his cloak to a shivering beggar, and that night he dreamed of Christ wearing the cloak. Martin converted to Christianity and began serving in the city of Poitiers under Saint Bishop Hilary, from whom he later received the priesthood. In 360, Martin founded a monastery following the Eastern ascetic model, considered the beginning of monastic life in France. In 371, Martin was consecrated as a bishop.

Saint Martin was a courageous evangelist, a great comforter, a fervent prayer, and a doer of charitable works, through whom God performed many miracles during his lifetime. This eminent figure became known during the spread of Christianity in the Frankish kingdom. Saint Martin became the cornerstone that helped establish Western European monasteries. His act of charity is unforgettable. Roman soldier Martin gave half of his cloak to a beggar. At night, Christ appeared to him, wearing half of his cloak, and said to the surrounding angels, “Martin, who is not yet baptized, has given me this cloak.” At the age of 18, Martin was baptized and left the army. He became a disciple of Saint Hilary. Later, Martin returned to Hungary to convert his parents to the faith. After many years spent in solitude near Geneva, he returned to Hilary. In 361, Martin founded the first monastery in Western Europe. In 371, he was elected Bishop of Tours. Saint Martin died on November 8, 397, during his journey. His tomb in Tours has become one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites. Martin’s ability to combine the ascetic monk ideal with that of an apostle became a model for Western European monks.

November 12 – Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial Day)

Saint Josaphat (1580-1623) came from a noble family in Vlodzimierz (in present-day Russia). In 1604, Josaphat entered the Basilian monastery in Vilnius, where his great piety, dedication to ascetic exercises, and zeal for studies became evident. In 1609, he became a priest and actively worked to promote the union of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The young priest was a remarkable preacher and confessor, bringing many sinners back to the Church. In 1614, Josaphat was appointed as the head of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Vilnius, and in 1617, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Vitebsk. After receiving episcopal ordination, Josaphat continued to work for the union of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and due to his fidelity, he died as a martyr. During a visitation in Vitebsk, the holy bishop was killed by opponents of the union. In 1867, Pope Pius XI canonized Josaphat as a saint and as a patron of the union.

November 15 – Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saint Albert the Great (13th century) was an extraordinarily gifted, versatile individual, simultaneously a great naturalist, philosopher, and saint. He came from a noble family, born around 1206 in Lauingen on the Danube (Germany), studied at the University of Padua, and entered the Dominican Order at the age of 18. After studying theology, Albert the Great received ordination to the priesthood and became a lecturer at the University of Paris. His lectures sometimes had so many listeners that they had to be held outdoors under the open sky. Among his most faithful students was Saint Thomas Aquinas. In 1260, Saint Albert the Great was consecrated as a bishop.

November 16 – Saint Margaret of Scotland and Saint Gertrude the Great

SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND (circa 1046–1093), daughter of the English king Edward, is a saint who demonstrated that it is possible to radically follow Christ’s love even in a royal palace. With gentleness and holiness, Margaret helped change the life of her unbelieving husband, King Malcolm III of Scotland. In great love, she raised her eight children. Margaret also cared for the needy, founded churches and monasteries, and was involved in state affairs while remaining faithful to living relationships with God through prayer.

SAINT GERTRUDE OF HELFTA or Gertrude the Great (1256–1301/1302) was one of the most outstanding women of the Middle Ages—a mystic, theologian, and writer. The works of this holy nun, known throughout the Roman Empire, testify to a deep mystical union with Christ.

November 17 – Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Nun (Memorial Day)

Saint Elizabeth (1207-1231) was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary. At the age of 14, she was betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia. Their marriage took place in 1220, and for six years, the young couple lived in happiness and, despite their wealth, followed Franciscan principles – strict poverty and complete obedience to God. After her husband’s death, Saint Elizabeth donned the habit of a tertiary, renounced all worldly comforts, and worked in the hospital she had founded. Saint Elizabeth died at the age of 24, singing praises to God in her sleep.

November 18 – Dedication Anniversary of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul

Last Sunday of the Church Year (before the 1st Sunday of Advent) – FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

The last Sunday of the Church year celebrates Christ, the King of the Universe. Established by Pope Pius XI, it affirms the triumphant presence of Christ’s kingdom in today’s secularized world and emphasizes the eschatological nature of Christ’s coming, particularly expressed in the Advent season. Acknowledging Jesus Christ as the King and Lord of the world means recognizing that man submits his freedom not to any earthly power but solely to God. The Church believes and teaches that the key, center, and purpose of all human history are found in its Lord and Teacher – Jesus Christ. “Blessed are those who believe,” Jesus said to his apostles (cf. John 20:29).

November 22 – Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

Cecilia was the daughter of a Roman senator who, by her parents’ wish, was married to the pagan youth Valerian. Cecilia prayed fervently for her betrothed, and on the day of their wedding, he received the sacrament of baptism. Since medieval times, Saint Cecilia has been honored as the patroness of music. She played and sang hymns of praise to God and often heard the voices of angels. Cecilia died as a martyr, bearing witness to her faith in Christ.

November 24 – Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and his Companions, Martyrs (Memorial Day)

In the early 16th century, Vietnam received the message of the Gospel from missionary preachers for the first time. The spilled blood of the martyrs and the zeal of the newly baptized were fruitful seeds for the Church’s further development. In the following centuries, especially during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang (1820-1840), many Vietnamese Christians testified to their faith through martyrdom. Andrew Dung-Lac (19th century) was a Vietnamese priest. He suffered martyrdom with his companions, including missionaries from France and Spain and 96 Vietnamese men and women. Pope John Paul II canonized them on June 19, 1988, during his visit to Asia.

November 25 – Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr

Many legends tell of Catherine’s (4th century) life and heroic martyrdom. She was born into a noble family in Alexandria. At about the age of eighteen, Catherine experienced a supernatural vision, received the sacrament of baptism, and pledged her life to God. The maiden had the courage to profess her Christian faith even before the emperor. To silence Catherine, he summoned fifty pagan philosophers, but together they failed to refute her words. Some accounts even suggest that these pagans returned to the Christian faith. Out of frustration, the emperor ordered a torture wheel to be constructed, but it broke without harming Catherine. Finally, by the emperor’s command, Catherine was beheaded. Tradition says that after the martyr’s death, a miracle occurred – her body was transported to Mount Sinai by saints or angels. There, a monastery was built in honor of Catherine. Saint Catherine of Alexandria is considered a patroness of philosophers, preachers, and young maidens.

November 30 – Saint Andrew, Apostle (Feast Day)

Saint Andrew, the brother of Saint Peter, was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist before following Jesus. He was the first of the future apostles to meet Jesus on the banks of the Jordan and heed the call to follow. Andrew later brought his brother to Jesus. Saint Andrew is honored as the apostle to the glorious nations. He died a martyr’s death in Patras, where he was also buried, but later his relics were transferred to Constantinople.

December 3 – Saint Francis Xavier Priest

Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) came from a noble family in the Spanish province of Navarre. In his youth, he dreamed of worldly success, but his life was transformed by meeting Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. In 1534, Francis was one of the first Jesuit brothers to take vows, dedicating himself solely to the service of the Savior, adopting as his motto, “For the greater glory of God!”

In 1537, Francis Xavier was ordained a priest. He worked with the youth in colleges, preaching and urging them to take up service in the Lord’s field. In 1542, he embarked on a mission to India, in 1546 to Japan, where he converted many thousands to Christianity. In 1622, Francis Xavier was canonized, and in 1927, Pope Pius XI declared him the patron saint of missions.

December 4 – Saint John Damascene Priest and Church Teacher

Saint John Damascene (675-749) is the last of the Greek Fathers of the Catholic Greek Church, a great advocate of the Christian faith, an eminent philosopher, and dogmatist. In 1890, he was included in the ranks of the Church’s teachers. Saint John Damascene was born in Damascus into a Christian family, received a good education, and devoted himself particularly to philosophy. After studying at the Saba Monastery near Jerusalem, he became a priest. Today, John Damascene is one of the greatest authorities in the Greek Church on the Holy Scriptures and dogmatics.

December 5 – Saint Barbara Virgin and Martyr

Barbara (3rd-4th century) came from a pagan family. When her father learned that she had embraced the Christian faith, he ordered her to be imprisoned in a tower, but the girl did not waver in her conviction. Barbara affirmed her faith in the Holy Trinity even in court. Enraged, her father killed his daughter by beheading her, and after this crime, he himself perished from a lightning strike. The cult of Saint Barbara developed especially in the Middle Ages. She is invoked as a protector against lightning and fire disasters and as an intercessor for a happy death.

December 6 – Saint Nicholas Bishop

Nicholas was born in the late 3rd century in Asia Minor into a notable, wealthy family. In the early 4th century, he became the bishop of Myra. There are reports that Nicholas was imprisoned during the persecution of Diocletian. Bishop Nicholas participated in the First Ecumenical Council of the Church in Nicaea, where he opposed the teachings of Arianism. The cult of Saint Nicholas spread particularly after 1087 when his relics were transferred to the city of Bari in Italy, and Pope Urban II consecrated a new church there in his honor.

December 7 – Saint Ambrose Bishop and Church Teacher

Saint Ambrose (ca. 340-397) was born in Trier, in the southern part of Germany, into a noble Roman family. He studied law in Rome and became a prominent lawyer. Because of his success, the emperor appointed him as the prefect of Liguria and Emilia. He worked in the capital city of Milan and with his abilities and justice gained the respect of the people.

In 374, when the bishop of Milan died, the city was engulfed in great unrest. In the cathedral, where the election of the new bishop was taking place, there were disputes and confusion. Ambrose tried to calm the crowd when suddenly a child’s voice rang out in the crowd: “Ambrose should be our bishop!” This cry was considered a sign from God. At the invitation of the people and the emperor, Ambrose became the bishop of Milan. He delved into deep studies of the Bible and the works of Christian authors and soon became an outstanding preacher and a great defender of Church teaching against heresies.

Ambrose was a respected and beloved bishop among both the poor and the noble, he fought for the unity of the Church, helped the poor, was a talented orator, and writer. Bishop Ambrose also made a significant contribution to the development of Church liturgy.

December 11 – Saint Damasus I Pope

Saint Damasus (ca. 305-384) zealously led the Church from 366 to 384. He fought against false teachings, convened several synods, and issued Church laws. He particularly emphasized the divinity of the Holy Spirit and in the creed, after the words “I believe in the Holy Spirit …”, added the supplement “… the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.” Likewise, Damasus entrusted the revision of the Latin text of the Holy Scriptures to Saint Jerome. He urged priests and all believers to praise the Holy Trinity with the following prayer: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

December 12 – Saint Joanna Francisca de Chantal Nun

Joanna Francisca de Chantal (1572-1641) was born in Dijon, France, into the influential family of a Burgundian parliament member. She married the Duke of Chantal, and the family had six children. After nine happy years of marriage, tragedy struck – Joanna’s husband died in a hunting accident. The following years were a severe trial for the young widow, who had to take care of raising the children alone. In 1604, Joanna heard a sermon by the holy bishop Francis de Sales. This bishop became her spiritual father and guide on the path to God. In 1610, Joanna, together with four other women, founded the Visitation Order to devote their lives to prayer and service to the poor and sick.

December 13 – Saint Lucy Virgin and Martyr

Saint Lucy (4th century) lived in Syracuse. She died during the persecution of Christians under Diocletian. The tradition of honoring this saint as a symbol of light has spread throughout the world.

December 14 – Saint John of the Cross Priest and Church Doctor (Memorial Day)

In 1542, four years before the death of Martin Luther and three years before the beginning of the Council of Trent, in the small Castilian village of Fontiveros, Juan de Yepes was born, whose life and work were like a living answer from God – not the only one, but one of the deepest and most determined that He was pleased to give during the confusion of the late Middle Ages and the second half of the 16th century.

“The teacher of spiritual life (mysticism),” as John of the Cross is called, has left us the most complete examples of mystical poetry in Spanish literature.

December 21 – Saint Peter Canisius Priest and Church Teacher

Peter Canisius (1521-1597) was born in Nijmegen (Netherlands). He spent most of his life in Germany, where he joined the Jesuit order. Peter Canisius was a teacher, preacher, catechist, writer, and missionary. He was a fervent supporter and defender of the Catholic Church during the Reformation. The catechism compiled by Saint Peter Canisius is the first book published in Latvian.

December 25 – Nativity of the Lord

December 26 – Saint Stephen the First Martyr of the Church

Stephen belonged to one of the early Christian communities in Jerusalem during the time of the apostles. As the number of disciples grew, seven from among them were consecrated as deacons by the laying on of hands to assist in preaching, serving, and acts of mercy. Among these deacons was Stephen. He was the first to profess his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by accepting martyrdom. Strengthened by the power of God, Stephen, at the moment of his death, prayed for his murderers: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”

December 27 – Saint Apostle and Evangelist John (Feast Day)

The Apostle John was called to follow Christ when he was fishing with his brother James in their father Zebedee’s boat. They both immediately left everything and followed the Lord. Apostle John witnessed Christ’s transfiguration on Mount Tabor, His agony, and crucifixion. He was the first of the apostles to believe that Christ had risen on the morning of Easter. At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusted John to His Mother, saying, “Woman, behold your son,” and to John, He said, “Behold your mother,” thus symbolically dedicating all humanity to the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother.

The personal testimonies of the Apostle John are preserved in John’s Gospel, letters, and the Book of Revelation.

December 28 – Holy Innocent Children Martyrs (Feast Day)

After the birth of Jesus Christ, the powerful ruler of Judea, King Herod, upon hearing from the eastern Magi led by a star about the birth of the Jewish King in Bethlehem, fearing the loss of his power, instructed these travelers to find out who this Child was and report it to him. However, after honoring Jesus, the Magi received a warning in a dream not to return to Herod. Seeing that he had been tricked, Herod, in his anger, ordered the killing of all children in the vicinity of Bethlehem who were younger than two years old.

Jesus’ foster father, Joseph, was warned in a dream to flee with the Child and His Mother to Egypt, thus saving Jesus from death. Today, the Church commemorates the innocent children who were the first martyrs to give their lives for Christ.

December 29 – Saint Thomas Becket Bishop and Martyr

Thomas Becket (1118–1170) is one of England’s holy martyrs. He served as chancellor of the realm and maintained good relations with its king, Henry II. After the death of Archbishop Theobald in 1162, the king appointed Thomas as Archbishop of Canterbury, hoping he would become an obedient clergyman. However, Thomas Becket remained faithful to the laws of the Church and firmly opposed Henry II’s interference in Church affairs, thus gaining many enemies. The bishop was murdered in his own cathedral. In 1173, Thomas Becket was canonized as one of the Church’s saints.

December 30 – THE HOLY FAMILY: JESUS, MARY, JOSEPH (Feast Day)

December 31 – Saint Sylvester I Pope

Sylvester I (3rd-4th century), appointed as pope in 314, led the Church for 21 years. He encouraged people of all ranks to turn to the Christian faith. During Pope Sylvester I’s time, the heretical teachings of the Alexandrian priest Arius, who claimed that Christ was not the Son of God, spread. The pope vehemently condemned these errors and defended the Church’s teachings at the First Council of Nicaea.